Sep 9, 2023; Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA; Alexander Volkov (blue gloves) reacts during his fight with Tai Tuivasa (red gloves) in UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

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Tom Aspinall Drops Massive Claim About Alexander Volkov; Ready For A Possible Rematch After UFC 321

Height measurements in combat sports have always been a bit sketchy. The UFC typically lists fighters based on what their camps provide during initial signings. But sometimes the real numbers tell a completely different story. Alexander Volkov stands as the tallest fighter currently on the UFC roster at a listed 6’7″. But according to Tom Aspinall, who has actually stood across from him, those numbers aren’t quite right.

Aspinall is currently preparing to defend his undisputed heavyweight championship against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. Three years ago, Aspinall faced Volkov in a UFC Fight Night London headliner and submitted him in the first round. That armbar victory announced Aspinall as a legitimate heavyweight contender who could finish anyone. Now the champion has dropped a massive revelation about his former opponent. His comments about Volkov’s true height have sparked conversations across the MMA community.

Tom Aspinall Reveals Alexander Volkov’s True Height

Tom Aspinall made a sizable revelation during a recent interview with TNT Sports. He claimed Alexander Volkov’s listed height of 6’7″ is completely inaccurate. According to Aspinall, Volkov actually stands at a staggering 6’9″ tall. That’s two full inches taller than his official UFC billing. Aspinall didn’t just pull this number out of thin air either. He got the information straight from Volkov’s manager during their fight camp.

“He’s 6-7, that actually isn’t true. He’s actually 6ft 9in. I’m putting that out there. Yeah, his manager told me he didn’t want to seem like a freak show.”

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Volkov (38-11) apparently wanted to avoid being marketed as some kind of circus attraction. Being labeled the tallest fighter carries certain expectations and stereotypes. Fans might dismiss his technical skills and focus only on his size. Volkov has always prided himself on being a well-rounded heavyweight with excellent striking fundamentals. His background includes championship runs in Bellator MMA and M-1 Global before joining the UFC. Standing at 6’9″ would make headlines overshadow his actual fighting abilities. So he chose to downplay his height by two inches to seem more normal.

Aspinall Eyes Volkov Rematch If Both Win At UFC 321

Tom Aspinall isn’t just dropping height bombs about Alexander Volkov for fun. He’s actually setting up a potential rematch between them. Volkov faces Jailton Almeida at UFC 321 in what should be a tough test. If both Aspinall and Volkov emerge victorious from their respective UFC 321 fights, a rematch could make perfect sense. Aspinall clearly respects what Volkov brings to the table despite finishing him quickly last time. That experience factor matters tremendously at heavyweight where one mistake can end everything instantly.

Volkov has had mixed results since that loss to Aspinall three years ago. He’s picked up some wins but also suffered setbacks against other top contenders. A victory over Almeida at UFC 321 would put him back in the title conversation. A rematch with Aspinall would give Volkov a chance at redemption while allowing the champion to prove his first victory wasn’t a fluke.

(Image Credit: Jasmin Frank – Imagn Images)

Alexander Volkov

Tom Aspinall

UFC 321

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!